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 BlackBerry-on-Android, squeeze all the juice!, An attempt of "all-in-one-thread"

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TShyperyouth_firepower
post Nov 27 2017, 10:51 AM, updated 5y ago

BlackBerry enthusiast
******
Senior Member
1,964 posts

Joined: Apr 2005
From: Sabah, Malaysia.


First post

* key points: BlackBerry in an Android is a significantly different experience of an Android
* What to expect, what NOT to expect, what can be done to squeeze more juice.


work in progress.

Preface:

Hi, i'm hyperyouth_firepower of Lowyat.Net, also known as MechaGodzilla of UTTBLOGS.
This is a series of post designed to assist old, new, veteran and returning users on BlackBerry on Android devices to squeeze as much power as possible from the phone, not in processing power, but in terms of productivity practicality.

The BlackBerry has always been about getting things done in your phone, because a phone is a phone. An entertainment device is an entertainment device. A phone's primary function is to communicate. An interactive device has primary function to make things interactive. Therefore communication can be dull, it can also be exciting. However, the core of the principle, is to facilitate communication effectively.

If you're here, you're probably either to seek redress on how to make your BlackBerry-on-Android device better to suit your needs. After all, in the sea of slabs after slabs and more slabs, BlackBerry devices stand out due to its individuality, even if there are people who ridicule it (which is ironic because Android slabs are all about customizability, and therefore promotes individuality). If you can find an answer / solution here, great. If not, we'll try to help. We, as in everyone, including yourself.

A quick history of BlackBerry-on-Android.

- BlackBerry announces BlackBerry Priv, in a slider form factor in 2015, as their first ever "full Android foray".
- BlackBerry creates an offshoot company, BlackBerryMobile, and partners up with TCL. DTEK 50,60 were announced.
- BlackBerryMobile releases BlackBerry KeyONE, the last known 'designed-in-house' device, but built entirely by TCL.
- BlackBerryMobile releases BlackBerry Motion, the first 'designed by TCL', and built by TCL (not a rebranded phone)
- BlackBerryMobile teases features a new device with physical keyboard, 4.5" screen (that's very similar to BlackBerry KeyONE), with 6GB RAM and features Snapdragon 660.



A quick recap of what is BlackBerry-on-Android experience.


1. Android is Android, the OS that is fully developed by Google. At the time of writing, Android 8.x (OREO) with Project Treble is underway, and this update, should all phone OEMs comply, will drastically alter the way Google interacts with its partners (including BlackBerry) on how they interact with each another.

2. BlackBerry is a company that prides itself in making 'secure' devices, with their experiences in BBOS, BlacKBerry 10 and even an attempt to fork Google Android ala Amazon Kindle Fire. Their latest effort is now entirely on promoting a secure, hardened edition of Android that is more resilient and resistant towards unwanted security breaches. The definition of 'security' includes rooting, unlocking the bootloader, and gaining access at kernel / administrative level in ways that are not designed to be.


Sample questions.

Question: Is a BlackBerry device meant for me?
Answer: That's not what we're going to do here. Your mileage and expectations would be different. A hardcore burnt out BlackBerry fan can be the most vicious person you'll ever meet talking about BlackBerry (the company, the device, the service, everything). What we do here, is gather what can be done to squeeze more juice out of your BlackBerry.

Question: I can't change the wallpaper (or insert anything)
Answer: That's what we'll talk about, in this thread.

Question: Does the new BlackBerry on Android runs on BIS subscriptions, or must it run on BES?
Answer: No, and no. Just buy a BlackBerry, plug in your SIM card, and voila. It just works.


This post has been edited by hyperyouth_firepower: Nov 27 2017, 11:23 AM
TShyperyouth_firepower
post Nov 27 2017, 10:51 AM

BlackBerry enthusiast
******
Senior Member
1,964 posts

Joined: Apr 2005
From: Sabah, Malaysia.


Reserved post 1: Looking at your BlackBerry-in-Android physical interactions
BlackBerry Priv Physical Interactions
<NEEDS MORE DATA>

DTEK 50 Physical interactions
<NEEDS MORE DATA>

DTEK 60 Physical interactions
<NEEDS MORE DATA>

BlackBerry Motion physical interactions
<NEEDS MORE DATA>

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


BlackBerry KeyONE physical interactions

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


This post has been edited by hyperyouth_firepower: Aug 17 2019, 06:07 PM
TShyperyouth_firepower
post Nov 27 2017, 10:52 AM

BlackBerry enthusiast
******
Senior Member
1,964 posts

Joined: Apr 2005
From: Sabah, Malaysia.


Reserved 2: Looking at your BlackBerry-in-Android Hub / Hub+ framework interactions.

Okay, this is somewhat very convulated, but for the sake of simplifying things, I'll try to list out how things work.


If you don't have a BlackBerry device:

You can get a "crippled" BlackBerry Hub. It has advertisements. You can pay (recurring subscription) to make the advertisements go away. It is the same BlackBerry Hub(app) that you get on BlackBerry devices.

BlackBerry Hub+ services.
THis is the service framework that ties in all BlackBerry services to make sure that it runs properly on your Android device. You get a crippled version of the Hub+ Services, even if you paid for the subscription. Here are the apps you get to use though

BlackBerry HUB
Contacts by BlackBerry
BlackBerry Calender
BlackBerry Device Search
BlackBerry Password Keeper
BlackBerry Launcher
Notes by BlackBerry
Tasks by BlackBerry


What you don't get:
- BlackBerry Virtual Keyboard
- Notable by BlackBerry
- BlackBerry Privacy Shade
- BlackBerry Private Locker (BlackBerry Motion only)
- BlackBerry Productivity Tab (for all BlackBerry devices only)
- Microsoft EXFAT for BlackBerry (device spesific only)
- BlackBerry Power Centre
- DTEK by BlackBerry


(If you're more vigilant, you'll see that some of the apps that you don't get can be gotten in some place of the internet. All I can tell you is your mileage will vary, but I vouch, swear and die by the BlackBerry virtual keyboard. Its the most orgasmic virtual keyboard that I've ever used, hands down).



If you own a BlackBerry-on-Android device, you should own almost everything above (except those apps that are spesific for certain devices, and not yet ported to other BlackBerry devices)

Some of you would have asked, "But I can get replacements by non BlackBerry. Why bother?" Again, this isn't about comparing apples to apples or oranges or grapes. Its basically cramming as much poweruser abilities with what you've have. Therefore I'm going to focus spesifically on the notion that you've got yourself a BlackBerry-on-Android device and you want to squeeze everything out of it.

If you've noticed, BlackBerry's own apps can be better than what Google's offerings, but in certain cases there are better alternatives. For example BlackBerry Contacts, Device Search, Notes and Tasks have GREAT interoperability with each another. Therefore when you use one, you're probably going to use the other, unless you're working with other alternatives such as OneNote from Microsoft, or EverNote. Furthermore, BlackBerry Password Keeper is too primitive and is in dire need of a proper update against the likes of Enpass, and the like.


Some suggestions that worked for many users.

On BlackBerry Hub widgets on the furthest left homescreen:
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


On Power Centre:
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


On Cases and Magnetic Latch ons.

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


This post has been edited by hyperyouth_firepower: Nov 27 2017, 02:28 PM
TShyperyouth_firepower
post Nov 27 2017, 10:52 AM

BlackBerry enthusiast
******
Senior Member
1,964 posts

Joined: Apr 2005
From: Sabah, Malaysia.


Reserved 3: Looking at the BlackBerry-in-Android, the quirks and perks of BlackBErry KeyONE
TShyperyouth_firepower
post Nov 27 2017, 10:53 AM

BlackBerry enthusiast
******
Senior Member
1,964 posts

Joined: Apr 2005
From: Sabah, Malaysia.


Reserved 4: Looking at the BlackBerry-in-Android, the quirks and perks of BlackBerry DTEK 50, 60, and BlackBErry Motion.
TShyperyouth_firepower
post Nov 27 2017, 10:55 AM

BlackBerry enthusiast
******
Senior Member
1,964 posts

Joined: Apr 2005
From: Sabah, Malaysia.


Reserved 5: BlackBerry-in-Android: Working with and limitations of "hardened, strengthened security" (as well as clearing certain misconceptions).
TShyperyouth_firepower
post Nov 27 2017, 10:56 AM

BlackBerry enthusiast
******
Senior Member
1,964 posts

Joined: Apr 2005
From: Sabah, Malaysia.


Reserved 6: Power user tips for general BlackBerry-on-Android users.

Power Centre App
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


This post has been edited by hyperyouth_firepower: Dec 3 2017, 01:21 PM
TShyperyouth_firepower
post Nov 27 2017, 10:57 AM

BlackBerry enthusiast
******
Senior Member
1,964 posts

Joined: Apr 2005
From: Sabah, Malaysia.


Reserved 7: Miscellaneous items that goes in here.

 

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